Semiconductor Package and Method of Forming the Same

ABSTRACT

An embodiment is a structure including a first die having an active surface with a first center point, a molding compound at least laterally encapsulating the first die, and a first redistribution layer (RDL) including metallization patterns extending over the first die and the molding compound. A first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL extending over a first portion of a boundary of the first die to the molding compound, the first portion of the metallization patterns not extending parallel to a first line, the first line extending from the first center point of the first die to the first portion of the boundary of the first die.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/170,653, filed on Jun. 1, 2016 and entitled “Semiconductor Package and Method of Forming the Same,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/300,511, filed on Feb. 26, 2016 and entitled “Reliability Robustness for InFO RDL Routing Design” which applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein as if reproduced in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The semiconductor industry has experienced rapid growth due to ongoing improvements in the integration density of a variety of electronic components (e.g., transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, etc.). For the most part, improvement in integration density has resulted from iterative reduction of minimum feature size, which allows more components to be integrated into a given area. As the demand for shrinking electronic devices has grown, a need for smaller and more creative packaging techniques of semiconductor dies has emerged. An example of such packaging systems is Package-on-Package (PoP) technology. In a PoP device, a top semiconductor package is stacked on top of a bottom semiconductor package to provide a high level of integration and component density. PoP technology generally enables production of semiconductor devices with enhanced functionalities and small footprints on a printed circuit board (PCB).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIGS. 1 through 15 illustrate cross-sectional views of intermediate steps during a process for forming a first package structure in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 16 through 18 illustrate plan views of a conductive layer routing in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 19 through 25 illustrate cross-sectional views of intermediate steps during a process for further forming the first package and for attaching other package structures to the first package in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the invention. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

Embodiments discussed herein may be discussed in a specific context, namely a package structure including a redistribution layer (RDL) routing design that enables more reliability robustness at a semiconductor-encapsulant boundary (e.g. a silicon/molding compound (Si/MC) boundary). The package structures may include a fan-out or fan-in package and may include one or more RDLs. For example, heating a package up in wafer form from room temperature to 220° C. results in high bending stresses on the RDL at the semiconductor-encapsulant boundary due to the curvature changing drastically because of CTE mismatch. The semiconductor may be a die/chip. The stress of transferring from fan-in to fan-out area can cause the RDL cracking, at the die corner and die sides. Hence, in some embodiments, the RDL routing design can be used for reliability robustness within a pre-defined area at the die-encapsulant boundary. The pre-defined area (sometimes referred to as a keep-out-zone (KOZ)) is the area where the RDL routing should not be routed in the same direction as the tensile forces. When the RDL pattern is routed in the same direction as the tensile forces (e.g. 45 degrees at die corners and 90 degrees at die sides), the RDL pattern suffers highest risk of cracking (see FIG. 16).

Further, the teachings of this disclosure are applicable to any package structure including one or conductive layers that traverse over different materials that have different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE). Other embodiments contemplate other applications, such as different package types or different configurations that would be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure. It should be noted that embodiments discussed herein may not necessarily illustrate every component or feature that may be present in a structure. For example, multiples of a component may be omitted from a figure, such as when discussion of one of the component may be sufficient to convey aspects of the embodiment. Further, method embodiments discussed herein may be discussed as being performed in a particular order; however, other method embodiments may be performed in any logical order.

FIGS. 1 through 15 illustrate cross-sectional views of intermediate steps during a process for forming a first package structure in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates a carrier substrate 100 and a release layer 102 formed on the carrier substrate 100. A first package region 600 and a second package region 602 for the formation of a first package and a second package, respectively, are illustrated.

The carrier substrate 100 may be a glass carrier substrate, a ceramic carrier substrate, or the like. The carrier substrate 100 may be a wafer, such that multiple packages can be formed on the carrier substrate 100 simultaneously. The release layer 102 may be formed of a polymer-based material, which may be removed along with the carrier substrate 100 from the overlying structures that will be formed in subsequent steps. In some embodiments, the release layer 102 is an epoxy-based thermal-release material, which loses its adhesive property when heated, such as a light-to-heat-conversion (LTHC) release coating. In other embodiments, the release layer 102 may be an ultra-violet (UV) glue, which loses its adhesive property when exposed to UV lights. The release layer 102 may be dispensed as a liquid and cured, may be a laminate film laminated onto the carrier substrate 100, or may be the like. The top surface of the release layer 102 may be leveled and may have a high degree of coplanarity.

In FIG. 2, a dielectric layer 104 and a metallization pattern 106 are formed. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a dielectric layer 104 is formed on the release layer 102. The bottom surface of the dielectric layer 104 may be in contact with the top surface of the release layer 102. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 104 is formed of a polymer, such as polybenzoxazole (PBO), polyimide, benzocyclobutene (BCB), or the like. In other embodiments, the dielectric layer 104 is formed of a nitride such as silicon nitride; an oxide such as silicon oxide, phosphosilicate glass (PSG), borosilicate glass (BSG), boron-doped phosphosilicate glass (BPSG), or the like; or the like. The dielectric layer 104 may be formed by any acceptable deposition process, such as spin coating, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), laminating, the like, or a combination thereof.

The metallization pattern 106 is formed on the dielectric layer 104. As an example to form metallization pattern 106, a seed layer (not shown) is formed over the dielectric layer 104. In some embodiments, the seed layer is a metal layer, which may be a single layer or a composite layer comprising a plurality of sub-layers formed of different materials. In some embodiments, the seed layer comprises a titanium layer and a copper layer over the titanium layer. The seed layer may be formed using, for example, PVD or the like. A photo resist is then formed and patterned on the seed layer. The photo resist may be formed by spin coating or the like and may be exposed to light for patterning. The pattern of the photo resist corresponds to the metallization pattern 106. The patterning forms openings through the photo resist to expose the seed layer. A conductive material is formed in the openings of the photo resist and on the exposed portions of the seed layer. The conductive material may be formed by plating, such as electroplating or electroless plating, or the like. The conductive material may comprise a metal, like copper, titanium, tungsten, aluminum, or the like. Then, the photo resist and portions of the seed layer on which the conductive material is not formed are removed. The photo resist may be removed by an acceptable ashing or stripping process, such as using an oxygen plasma or the like. Once the photo resist is removed, exposed portions of the seed layer are removed, such as by using an acceptable etching process, such as by wet or dry etching. The remaining portions of the seed layer and conductive material form the metallization pattern 106.

In FIG. 3, a dielectric layer 108 is formed on the metallization pattern 106 and the dielectric layer 104. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 108 is formed of a polymer, which may be a photo-sensitive material such as PBO, polyimide, BCB, or the like, that may be patterned using a lithography mask. In other embodiments, the dielectric layer 108 is formed of a nitride such as silicon nitride; an oxide such as silicon oxide, PSG, BSG, BPSG; or the like. The dielectric layer 108 may be formed by spin coating, lamination, CVD, the like, or a combination thereof. The dielectric layer 108 is then patterned to form openings to expose portions of the metallization pattern 106. The patterning may be by an acceptable process, such as by exposing the dielectric layer 108 to light when the dielectric layer is a photo-sensitive material or by etching using, for example, an anisotropic etch.

The dielectric layers 104 and 108 and the metallization patterns 106 may be referred to as a back-side redistribution structure 110. As illustrated, the back-side redistribution structure 110 includes the two dielectric layers 104 and 108 and one metallization pattern 106. In other embodiments, the back-side redistribution structure 110 can include any number of dielectric layers, metallization patterns, and vias. One or more additional metallization pattern and dielectric layer may be formed in the back-side redistribution structure 110 by repeating the processes for forming a metallization patterns 106 and dielectric layer 108. Vias may be formed during the formation of a metallization pattern by forming the seed layer and conductive material of the metallization pattern in the opening of the underlying dielectric layer. The vias may therefore interconnect and electrically couple the various metallization patterns.

Further in FIG. 3, through vias 112 are formed. As an example to form the through vias 112, a seed layer is formed over the back-side redistribution structure 110, e.g., the dielectric layer 108 and the exposed portions of the metallization pattern 106 as illustrated. In some embodiments, the seed layer is a metal layer, which may be a single layer or a composite layer comprising a plurality of sub-layers formed of different materials. In some embodiments, the seed layer comprises a titanium layer and a copper layer over the titanium layer. The seed layer may be formed using, for example, PVD or the like. A photo resist is formed and patterned on the seed layer. The photo resist may be formed by spin coating or the like and may be exposed to light for patterning. The pattern of the photo resist corresponds to through vias. The patterning forms openings through the photo resist to expose the seed layer. A conductive material is formed in the openings of the photo resist and on the exposed portions of the seed layer. The conductive material may be formed by plating, such as electroplating or electroless plating, or the like. The conductive material may comprise a metal, like copper, titanium, tungsten, aluminum, or the like. The photo resist and portions of the seed layer on which the conductive material is not formed are removed. The photo resist may be removed by an acceptable ashing or stripping process, such as using an oxygen plasma or the like. Once the photo resist is removed, exposed portions of the seed layer are removed, such as by using an acceptable etching process, such as by wet or dry etching. The remaining portions of the seed layer and conductive material form through vias 112.

In FIG. 4, integrated circuit dies 114 are adhered to the dielectric layer 108 by an adhesive 116. As illustrated in FIG. 4, two integrated circuit dies 114 are adhered in each of the first package region 600 and the second package region 602, and in other embodiments, more or less integrated circuit dies 114 may be adhered in each region. The integrated circuit dies 114 may be logic dies (e.g., central processing unit, microcontroller, etc.), memory dies (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM) die, static random access memory (SRAM) die, etc.), power management dies (e.g., power management integrated circuit (PMIC) die), radio frequency (RF) dies, sensor dies, micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) dies, signal processing dies (e.g., digital signal processing (DSP) die), front-end dies (e.g., analog front-end (AFE) dies), the like, or a combination thereof. Also, in some embodiments, the integrated circuit dies 114 may be different sizes (e.g., different heights and/or surface areas), and in other embodiments, the integrated circuit dies 114 may be the same size (e.g., same heights and/or surface areas).

Before being adhered to the dielectric layer 108, the integrated circuit dies 114 may be processed according to applicable manufacturing processes to form integrated circuits in the integrated circuit dies 114. For example, the integrated circuit dies 114 each include a semiconductor substrate 118, such as silicon, doped or undoped, or an active layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The semiconductor substrate may include other semiconductor material, such as germanium; a compound semiconductor including silicon carbide, gallium arsenic, gallium phosphide, indium phosphide, indium arsenide, and/or indium antimonide; an alloy semiconductor including SiGe, GaAsP, AlinAs, AlGaAs, GaInAs, GaInP, and/or GaInAsP; or combinations thereof. Other substrates, such as multi-layered or gradient substrates, may also be used. Devices, such as transistors, diodes, capacitors, resistors, etc., may be formed in and/or on the semiconductor substrate 118 and may be interconnected by interconnect structures 120 formed by, for example, metallization patterns in one or more dielectric layers on the semiconductor substrate 118 to form an integrated circuit.

The integrated circuit dies 114 further comprise pads 122, such as aluminum pads, to which external connections are made. The pads 122 are on what may be referred to as respective active sides of the integrated circuit dies 114. Passivation films 124 are on the integrated circuit dies 114 and on portions of the pads 122. Openings are through the passivation films 124 to the pads 122. Die connectors 126, such as conductive pillars (for example, comprising a metal such as copper), are in the openings through passivation films 124 and are mechanically and electrically coupled to the respective pads 122. The die connectors 126 may be formed by, for example, plating, or the like. The die connectors 126 electrically couple the respective integrated circuits of the integrate circuit dies 114.

A dielectric material 128 is on the active sides of the integrated circuit dies 114, such as on the passivation films 124 and the die connectors 126. The dielectric material 128 laterally encapsulates the die connectors 126, and the dielectric material 128 is laterally coterminous with the respective integrated circuit dies 114. The dielectric material 128 may be a polymer such as PBO, polyimide, BCB, or the like; a nitride such as silicon nitride or the like; an oxide such as silicon oxide, PSG, BSG, BPSG, or the like; the like, or a combination thereof, and may be formed, for example, by spin coating, lamination, CVD, or the like.

Adhesive 116 is on back-sides of the integrated circuit dies 114 and adheres the integrated circuit dies 114 to the back-side redistribution structure 110, such as the dielectric layer 108 in the illustration. The adhesive 116 may be any suitable adhesive, epoxy, die attach film (DAF), or the like. The adhesive 116 may be applied to a back-side of the integrated circuit dies 114, such as to a back-side of the respective semiconductor wafer or may be applied over the surface of the carrier substrate 100. The integrated circuit dies 114 may be singulated, such as by sawing or dicing, and adhered to the dielectric layer 108 by the adhesive 116 using, for example, a pick-and-place tool.

In FIG. 5, an encapsulant 130 is formed on the various components. The encapsulant 130 may be a molding compound, epoxy, or the like, and may be applied by compression molding, transfer molding, or the like. After curing, the encapsulant 130 can undergo a grinding process to expose the through vias 112 and die connectors 126. Top surfaces of the through vias 112, die connectors 126, and encapsulant 130 are coplanar after the grinding process. In some embodiments, the grinding may be omitted, for example, if through vias 112 and die connectors 126 are already exposed.

In FIGS. 6 through 15 and 19, a front-side redistribution structure 160 is formed. As will be illustrated in FIG. 19, the front-side redistribution structure 160 includes dielectric layers 132, 140, 148, and 156 and metallization patterns 138, 146, and 154.

In FIG. 6, the dielectric layer 132 is deposited on the encapsulant 130, through vias 112, and die connectors 126. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 132 is formed of a polymer, which may be a photo-sensitive material such as PBO, polyimide, BCB, or the like, that may be patterned using a lithography mask. In other embodiments, the dielectric layer 132 is formed of a nitride such as silicon nitride; an oxide such as silicon oxide, PSG, BSG, BPSG; or the like. The dielectric layer 132 may be formed by spin coating, lamination, CVD, the like, or a combination thereof.

In FIG. 7, the dielectric layer 132 is then patterned. The patterning forms openings to expose portions of the through vias 112 and the die connectors 126. The patterning may be by an acceptable process, such as by exposing the dielectric layer 132 to light when the dielectric layer 132 is a photo-sensitive material or by etching using, for example, an anisotropic etch. If the dielectric layer 132 is a photo-sensitive material, the dielectric layer 132 can be developed after the exposure.

In FIG. 8, metallization pattern 138 with vias is formed on the dielectric layer 132. As an example to form metallization pattern 138, a seed layer (not shown) is formed over the dielectric layer 132 and in openings through the dielectric layer 132. In some embodiments, the seed layer is a metal layer, which may be a single layer or a composite layer comprising a plurality of sub-layers formed of different materials. In some embodiments, the seed layer comprises a titanium layer and a copper layer over the titanium layer. The seed layer may be formed using, for example, PVD or the like. A photo resist is then formed and patterned on the seed layer. The photo resist may be formed by spin coating or the like and may be exposed to light for patterning. The pattern of the photo resist corresponds to the metallization pattern 138. The patterning forms openings through the photo resist to expose the seed layer. A conductive material is formed in the openings of the photo resist and on the exposed portions of the seed layer. The conductive material may be formed by plating, such as electroplating or electroless plating, or the like. The conductive material may comprise a metal, like copper, titanium, tungsten, aluminum, or the like. Then, the photo resist and portions of the seed layer on which the conductive material is not formed are removed. The photo resist may be removed by an acceptable ashing or stripping process, such as using an oxygen plasma or the like. Once the photo resist is removed, exposed portions of the seed layer are removed, such as by using an acceptable etching process, such as by wet or dry etching. The remaining portions of the seed layer and conductive material form the metallization pattern 138 and vias. The vias are formed in openings through the dielectric layer 132 to, e.g., the through vias 112 and/or the die connectors 126.

In FIG. 9, the dielectric layer 140 is deposited on the metallization pattern 138 and the dielectric layer 132. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 140 is formed of a polymer, which may be a photo-sensitive material such as PBO, polyimide, BCB, or the like, that may be patterned using a lithography mask. In other embodiments, the dielectric layer 140 is formed of a nitride such as silicon nitride; an oxide such as silicon oxide, PSG, BSG, BPS G; or the like. The dielectric layer 140 may be formed by spin coating, lamination, CVD, the like, or a combination thereof.

In FIG. 10, the dielectric layer 140 is then patterned. The patterning forms openings to expose portions of the metallization pattern 138. The patterning may be by an acceptable process, such as by exposing the dielectric layer 140 to light when the dielectric layer is a photo-sensitive material or by etching using, for example, an anisotropic etch. If the dielectric layer 140 is a photo-sensitive material, the dielectric layer 140 can be developed after the exposure.

In FIG. 11, metallization pattern 146 with vias is formed on the dielectric layer 140. As an example to form metallization pattern 146, a seed layer (not shown) is formed over the dielectric layer 140 and in openings through the dielectric layer 140. In some embodiments, the seed layer is a metal layer, which may be a single layer or a composite layer comprising a plurality of sub-layers formed of different materials. In some embodiments, the seed layer comprises a titanium layer and a copper layer over the titanium layer. The seed layer may be formed using, for example, PVD or the like. A photo resist is then formed and patterned on the seed layer. The photo resist may be formed by spin coating or the like and may be exposed to light for patterning. The pattern of the photo resist corresponds to the metallization pattern 146. The patterning forms openings through the photo resist to expose the seed layer. A conductive material is formed in the openings of the photo resist and on the exposed portions of the seed layer. The conductive material may be formed by plating, such as electroplating or electroless plating, or the like. The conductive material may comprise a metal, like copper, titanium, tungsten, aluminum, or the like. Then, the photo resist and portions of the seed layer on which the conductive material is not formed are removed. The photo resist may be removed by an acceptable ashing or stripping process, such as using an oxygen plasma or the like. Once the photo resist is removed, exposed portions of the seed layer are removed, such as by using an acceptable etching process, such as by wet or dry etching. The remaining portions of the seed layer and conductive material form the metallization pattern 146 and vias. The vias are formed in openings through the dielectric layer 140 to, e.g., portions of the metallization pattern 138.

In FIG. 12, the dielectric layer 148 is deposited on the metallization pattern 146 and the dielectric layer 140. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 148 is formed of a polymer, which may be a photo-sensitive material such as PBO, polyimide, BCB, or the like, that may be patterned using a lithography mask. In other embodiments, the dielectric layer 148 is formed of a nitride such as silicon nitride; an oxide such as silicon oxide, PSG, BSG, BPS G; or the like. The dielectric layer 148 may be formed by spin coating, lamination, CVD, the like, or a combination thereof.

In FIG. 13, the dielectric layer 148 is then patterned. The patterning forms openings to expose portions of the metallization pattern 146. The patterning may be by an acceptable process, such as by exposing the dielectric layer 148 to light when the dielectric layer is a photo-sensitive material or by etching using, for example, an anisotropic etch. If the dielectric layer 148 is a photo-sensitive material, the dielectric layer 148 can be developed after the exposure.

In FIG. 14, metallization pattern 154 with vias is formed on the dielectric layer 148. As an example to form metallization pattern 154, a seed layer (not shown) is formed over the dielectric layer 148 and in openings through the dielectric layer 148. In some embodiments, the seed layer is a metal layer, which may be a single layer or a composite layer comprising a plurality of sub-layers formed of different materials. In some embodiments, the seed layer comprises a titanium layer and a copper layer over the titanium layer. The seed layer may be formed using, for example, PVD or the like. A photo resist is then formed and patterned on the seed layer. The photo resist may be formed by spin coating or the like and may be exposed to light for patterning. The pattern of the photo resist corresponds to the metallization pattern 154. The patterning forms openings through the photo resist to expose the seed layer. A conductive material is formed in the openings of the photo resist and on the exposed portions of the seed layer. The conductive material may be formed by plating, such as electroplating or electroless plating, or the like. The conductive material may comprise a metal, like copper, titanium, tungsten, aluminum, or the like. Then, the photo resist and portions of the seed layer on which the conductive material is not formed are removed. The photo resist may be removed by an acceptable ashing or stripping process, such as using an oxygen plasma or the like. Once the photo resist is removed, exposed portions of the seed layer are removed, such as by using an acceptable etching process, such as by wet or dry etching. The remaining portions of the seed layer and conductive material form the metallization pattern 154 and vias. The vias are formed in openings through the dielectric layer 148 to, e.g., portions of the metallization pattern 146.

In FIG. 15, the dielectric layer 156 is deposited on the metallization pattern 154 and the dielectric layer 148. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 156 is formed of a polymer, which may be a photo-sensitive material such as PBO, polyimide, BCB, or the like, that may be patterned using a lithography mask. In other embodiments, the dielectric layer 156 is formed of a nitride such as silicon nitride; an oxide such as silicon oxide, PSG, BSG, BPSG; or the like. The dielectric layer 156 may be formed by spin coating, lamination, CVD, the like, or a combination thereof.

FIGS. 16 through 18 illustrate simplified plan views of an RDL routing in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 16 illustrates a simplified plan view of one of the first package structures of FIG. 15. The illustrated plan view includes the active surface of the one of the integrated circuit dies 114 being surrounded by the molding compound 130 with portions of the overlying metallization patterns 154/146/138 (RDL patterns) shown. The die connectors 126, through vias 112, and dielectric layers 132, 140, 148, and 156 are not shown.

FIG. 16 includes arrows 702 (labeled as 702A and 702B) that indicate the direction of tensile forces with the arrows 702A indicating the direction of the tensile forces at the integrated circuit die 114 corners and the arrows 702B indicating the direction of the tensile forces at the integrated circuit die 114 sides. In some embodiments, the directions of the tensile forces extend radially from a center point 706 of the active surface of the integrated circuit die 114. The center point 706 of the active surface of the integrated circuit die 114 is a midpoint in both the X and Y directions of the active surface of the integrated circuit die 114. In some embodiments, the tensile forces 702A are at angles of about 45 degrees relative to the X and/or Y axis. In some embodiments, the tensile forces 702B are at angles of about 0 degrees or 90 degrees relative to the X and/or Y axis.

FIG. 16 includes pre-defined areas 704 (labeled as 704A and 704B) with the pre-defined areas 704A at the corners of the integrated circuit die 114 and the pre-defined areas 705B at the sides of the integrated circuit die 114. These pre-defined areas 704 overlap boundaries between the integrated circuit die 114 and the molding compound 130. It has been found that when the RDL pattern is routed in the same direction as the tensile forces within these pre-defined areas 704, the RDL pattern suffers highest risk of cracking. This is at least partly due to the fact that the maximum tensile stress occurs at and/or near the boundary of the integrated circuit die 114 and the molding compound 130. This maximum tensile stress may be caused by the curvature of the wafer, of which the unsingulated first packages are a part of, changing drastically because of CTE mismatch between the integrated circuit die 114 and the molding compound 130. Hence, it has been determined that within these pre-defined areas 704, the RDL pattern should not be routed in the same direction as the tensile forces.

FIG. 17 illustrates a detailed view of the RDL pattern routing within the pre-defined area 704A at the corners of the integrated circuit die 114. In some embodiments, the pre-defined area 704A has dimensions D1 into the molding compound and dimensions D2 into the die 114 from the boundary of the die 114 and the molding compound 130. In some embodiments, D1 is equal to or greater than about 300 μm, such as about 330 μm, and D2 is equal to or greater than 200 μm, such as about 220 μm. The metallization patterns 154/146/138 have a line width W1. In some embodiments, the width W1 is less than 30 μm, such as about 20 μm.

The angles between the metallization patterns 154/146/138 and borders of the pre-defined area 704A are angles α2. In some embodiments, angles α2 are in a range from about 75 degrees to about 105 degrees. Said another way, the routing of the metallization patterns 154/146/138 within the pre-defined area 704A can be rotated such that the angles α2 are in a range from about 75 degrees to about 105 degrees. The angles formed between portions of the metallization patterns 154/146/138 within the pre-defined area 704A are angles α1. In some embodiments, angles α1 are about 0 degrees or about 90 degrees. Said another way, the metallization patterns 154/146/138 within the pre-defined area 704A can have one or more 90 degree bends or can be straight with no bends through the pre-defined area 704A. Utilizing these angles for the metallization patterns 154/146/138 within and immediately surrounding the pre-defined area 704A, the metallization patterns 154/146/138 can significantly reduce the chances of being broken during a heating process because the metallization patterns 154/146/138 are not running in the same direction as the tensile forces caused by the heating process.

FIG. 18 illustrates a detailed view of the RDL pattern routing within a pre-defined area 704B at the sides of the integrated circuit die 114. In some embodiments, the pre-defined area 704B has dimensions D3 into the molding compound and dimensions D4 into the die 114 from the boundary of the die 114 and the molding compound 130. In some embodiments, D3 is equal to or greater than about 300 μm, such as about 330 μm, and D4 is equal to or greater than 200 μm, such as about 220 μm. The metallization patterns 154/146/138 have the line width W1.

The angles between the metallization patterns 154/146/138 and borders of the pre-defined area 704B are angles α4. In some embodiments, angles α4 are in a range from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. Said another way, the routing of the metallization patterns 154/146/138 within the pre-defined area 704B can be rotated such that the angles α4 are in a range from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. The angles formed between portions of the metallization patterns 154/146/138 within the pre-defined area 704B are angles α3. In some embodiments, angles α3 are about 0 degrees or about 90 degrees. Said another way, the metallization patterns 154/146/138 within the pre-defined area 704B can have one or more 90 degree bends or can be straight with no bends through the pre-defined area 704B. Utilizing these angles for the metallization patterns 154/146/138 within and immediately surrounding the pre-defined area 704B, the metallization patterns 154/146/138 can significantly reduce the chances of being broken during a heating process because the metallization patterns 154/146/138 are not running in the same direction as the tensile forces caused by the heating process.

It has been found that by having the metallization patterns 154/146/138 running in a direction that is not parallel to the tensile forces at the die corner areas, the normalized stress on the metallization patterns 154/146/138 in these die corner areas can be reduced significantly. For example, when the metallization patterns 154/146/138 in the die corner areas are at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the tensile forces, then the normalized stress on the metallization patterns 154/146/138 is reduced by about 38% as compared to when the metallization patterns 154/146/138 in the die corner areas are parallel to the tensile forces. As another example, when the metallization patterns 154/146/138 in the die corner areas are at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the tensile forces, then the normalized stress on the metallization patterns 154/146/138 is reduced by about 75% as compared to when the metallization patterns 154/146/138 in the die corner areas are parallel to the tensile forces.

In some embodiments, the above-described RDL routing design techniques are applied only to the first metallization pattern (e.g., metallization pattern 138) overlying the integrated circuit die 114 and the molding compound 130 with the remaining metallization patterns being routed without regard to pre-defined areas 704. In some other embodiments, the above-described RDL routing design techniques are applied to all of the metallization patterns overlying the integrated circuit die 114 and the molding compound 130 (e.g., metallization pattern 138, 146 , and 154.)

FIGS. 19 through 25 illustrate cross-sectional views of intermediate steps during a process for further forming a first package and for attaching other package structures to the first package in accordance with some embodiments.

In FIG. 19, the dielectric layer 156 is then patterned. The patterning forms openings to expose portions of the metallization pattern 154. The patterning may be by an acceptable process, such as by exposing the dielectric layer 156 to light when the dielectric layer is a photo-sensitive material or by etching using, for example, an anisotropic etch. If the dielectric layer 156 is a photo-sensitive material, the dielectric layer 156 can be developed after the exposure.

The front-side redistribution structure 160 is shown as an example. More or fewer dielectric layers and metallization patterns may be formed in the front-side redistribution structure 160. If fewer dielectric layers and metallization patterns are to be formed, steps and process discussed above may be omitted. If more dielectric layers and metallization patterns are to be formed, steps and processes discussed above may be repeated. One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand which steps and processes would be omitted or repeated.

Although the RDL routing design within the pre-defined areas 704 is discussed with respect to the front-side redistribution structure 160, the teachings of the RDL routing process may also be applied to the back-side redistribution structure 110.

In FIG. 20, pads 162 are formed on an exterior side of the front-side redistribution structure 160. The pads 162 are used to couple to conductive connectors 166 (see FIG. 21) and may be referred to as under bump metallurgies (UBMs) 162. In the illustrated embodiment, the pads 162 are formed through openings through the dielectric layer 156 to the metallization pattern 154. As an example to form the pads 162, a seed layer (not shown) is formed over the dielectric layer 156. In some embodiments, the seed layer is a metal layer, which may be a single layer or a composite layer comprising a plurality of sub-layers formed of different materials. In some embodiments, the seed layer comprises a titanium layer and a copper layer over the titanium layer. The seed layer may be formed using, for example, PVD or the like. A photo resist is then formed and patterned on the seed layer. The photo resist may be formed by spin coating or the like and may be exposed to light for patterning. The pattern of the photo resist corresponds to the pads 162. The patterning forms openings through the photo resist to expose the seed layer. A conductive material is formed in the openings of the photo resist and on the exposed portions of the seed layer. The conductive material may be formed by plating, such as electroplating or electroless plating, or the like. The conductive material may comprise a metal, like copper, titanium, tungsten, aluminum, or the like. Then, the photo resist and portions of the seed layer on which the conductive material is not formed are removed. The photo resist may be removed by an acceptable ashing or stripping process, such as using an oxygen plasma or the like. Once the photo resist is removed, exposed portions of the seed layer are removed, such as by using an acceptable etching process, such as by wet or dry etching. The remaining portions of the seed layer and conductive material form the pads 162. In the embodiment, where the pads 162 are formed differently, more photo resist and patterning steps may be utilized.

In FIG. 21, conductive connectors 166 are formed on the UBMs 162. The conductive connectors 166 may be BGA connectors, solder balls, metal pillars, controlled collapse chip connection (C4) bumps, micro bumps, electroless nickel-electroless palladium-immersion gold technique (ENEPIG) formed bumps, or the like. The conductive connectors 166 may include a conductive material such as solder, copper, aluminum, gold, nickel, silver, palladium, tin, the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the conductive connectors 166 are formed by initially forming a layer of solder through such commonly used methods such as evaporation, electroplating, printing, solder transfer, ball placement, or the like. Once a layer of solder has been formed on the structure, a reflow may be performed in order to shape the material into the desired bump shapes. In another embodiment, the conductive connectors 166 are metal pillars (such as a copper pillar) formed by a sputtering, printing, electro plating, electroless plating, CVD, or the like. The metal pillars may be solder free and have substantially vertical sidewalls. In some embodiments, a metal cap layer (not shown) is formed on the top of the metal pillar connectors 166. The metal cap layer may include nickel, tin, tin-lead, gold, silver, palladium, indium, nickel-palladium-gold, nickel-gold, the like, or a combination thereof and may be formed by a plating process.

In FIG. 22, a carrier substrate de-bonding is performed to detach (de-bond) the carrier substrate 100 from the back-side redistribution structure, e.g., dielectric layer 104. In accordance with some embodiments, the de-bonding includes projecting a light such as a laser light or an UV light on the release layer 102 so that the release layer 102 decomposes under the heat of the light and the carrier substrate 100 can be removed. The structure is then flipped over and placed on a tape 190.

As further illustrated in FIG. 22, openings are formed through the dielectric layer 104 to expose portions of the metallization pattern 106. The openings may be formed, for example, using laser drilling, etching, or the like.

In FIG. 23, a singulation process is performed by sawing 184 along scribe line regions e.g., between adjacent regions 600 and 602. The sawing 184 singulates the first package region 600 from the second package region 602.

FIG. 24 illustrates a resulting, singulated package 200, which may be from one of the first package region 600 or the second package region 602. The package 200 may also be referred to as an integrated fan-out (InFO) package 200.

FIG. 25 illustrates a package structure 500 including the package 200 (may be referred to as a first package 200), a second package 300, and a substrate 400. The second package 300 includes a substrate 302 and one or more stacked dies 308 (308A and 308B) coupled to the substrate 302. The substrate 302 may be made of a semiconductor material such as silicon, germanium, diamond, or the like. In some embodiments, compound materials such as silicon germanium, silicon carbide, gallium arsenic, indium arsenide, indium phosphide, silicon germanium carbide, gallium arsenic phosphide, gallium indium phosphide, combinations of these, and the like, may also be used. Additionally, the substrate 302 may be a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. Generally, an SOI substrate includes a layer of a semiconductor material such as epitaxial silicon, germanium, silicon germanium, SOI, silicon germanium on insulator (SGOI), or combinations thereof. The substrate 302 is, in one alternative embodiment, based on an insulating core such as a fiberglass reinforced resin core. One example core material is fiberglass resin such as FR4. Alternatives for the core material include bismaleimide-triazine (BT) resin, or alternatively, other printed circuit board (PCB) materials or films. Build up films such as Ajinomoto build-up film (ABF) or other laminates may be used for substrate 302.

The substrate 302 may include active and passive devices (not shown in FIG. 28). As one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, a wide variety of devices such as transistors, capacitors, resistors, combinations of these, and the like may be used to generate the structural and functional requirements of the design for the semiconductor package 300. The devices may be formed using any suitable methods.

The substrate 302 may also include metallization layers (not shown) and through vias 306. The metallization layers may be formed over the active and passive devices and are designed to connect the various devices to form functional circuitry. The metallization layers may be formed of alternating layers of dielectric (e.g., low-k dielectric material) and conductive material (e.g., copper) with vias interconnecting the layers of conductive material and may be formed through any suitable process (such as deposition, damascene, dual damascene, or the like). In some embodiments, the substrate 302 is substantially free of active and passive devices.

The substrate 302 may have bond pads 303 on a first side the substrate 202 to couple to the stacked dies 308, and bond pads 304 on a second side of the substrate 302, the second side being opposite the first side of the substrate 302, to couple to the conductive connectors 314. In some embodiments, the bond pads 303 and 304 are formed by forming recesses (not shown) into dielectric layers (not shown) on the first and second sides of the substrate 302. The recesses may be formed to allow the bond pads 303 and 304 to be embedded into the dielectric layers. In other embodiments, the recesses are omitted as the bond pads 303 and 304 may be formed on the dielectric layer. In some embodiments, the bond pads 303 and 304 include a thin seed layer (not shown) made of copper, titanium, nickel, gold, palladium, the like, or a combination thereof. The conductive material of the bond pads 303 and 304 may be deposited over the thin seed layer. The conductive material may be formed by an electro-chemical plating process, an electroless plating process, CVD, ALD, PVD, the like, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the conductive material of the bond pads 303 and 304 is copper, tungsten, aluminum, silver, gold, the like, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the bond pads 303 and 304 are UBMs that include three layers of conductive materials, such as a layer of titanium, a layer of copper, and a layer of nickel. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are many suitable arrangements of materials and layers, such as an arrangement of chrome/chrome-copper alloy/copper/gold, an arrangement of titanium/titanium tungsten/copper, or an arrangement of copper/nickel/gold, that are suitable for the formation of the UBMs 303 and 304. Any suitable materials or layers of material that may be used for the UBMs 303 and 304 are fully intended to be included within the scope of the current application. In some embodiments, the through vias 306 extend through the substrate 302 and couple at least one bond pad 303 to at least one bond pad 304.

In the illustrated embodiment, the stacked dies 308 are coupled to the substrate 302 by wire bonds 310, although other connections may be used, such as conductive bumps. In an embodiment, the stacked dies 308 are stacked memory dies. For example, the stacked memory dies 308 may include low-power (LP) double data rate (DDR) memory modules, such as LPDDR1, LPDDR2, LPDDR3, LPDDR4, or the like memory modules.

In some embodiments, the stacked dies 308 and the wire bonds 310 may be encapsulated by a molding material 312. The molding material 312may be molded on the stacked dies 308 and the wire bonds 310, for example, using compression molding. In some embodiments, the molding material 312 is a molding compound, a polymer, an epoxy, silicon oxide filler material, the like, or a combination thereof. A curing step may be performed to cure the molding material 312, wherein the curing may be a thermal curing, a UV curing, the like, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the stacked dies 308 and the wire bonds 310 are buried in the molding material 312, and after the curing of the molding material 312, a planarization step, such as a grinding, is performed to remove excess portions of the molding material 312 and provide a substantially planar surface for the second packages 300.

After the second packages 300 are formed, the packages 300 are bonded to the first packages 200 by way of conductive connectors 314, the bond pads 304, and the metallization pattern 106. In some embodiments, the stacked memory dies 308 may be coupled to the integrated circuit dies 114 through the wire bonds 310, the bond pads 303 and 304, through vias 306, the conductive connectors 314, and the through vias 112.

The conductive connectors 314 may be similar to the conductive connectors 166 described above and the description is not repeated herein, although the conductive connectors 314 and 166 need not be the same. In some embodiments, before bonding the conductive connectors 314, the conductive connectors 314 are coated with a flux (not shown), such as a no-clean flux. The conductive connectors 314 may be dipped in the flux or the flux may be jetted onto the conductive connectors 314. In another embodiment, the flux may be applied to the surfaces of the metallization patterns 106.

In some embodiments, the conductive connectors 314 may have an epoxy flux (not shown) formed thereon before they are reflowed with at least some of the epoxy portion of the epoxy flux remaining after the second package 300 is attached to the first package 200. This remaining epoxy portion may act as an underfill to reduce stress and protect the joints resulting from the reflowing the conductive connectors 314. In some embodiments, an underfill (not shown) may be formed between the second package 300 and the first package 200 and surrounding the conductive connectors 314. The underfill may be formed by a capillary flow process after the second package 300 is attached or may be formed by a suitable deposition method before the second package 300 is attached.

The bonding between the second package 300 and the first package 200 may be a solder bonding or a direct metal-to-metal (such as a copper-to-copper or tin-to-tin) bonding. In an embodiment, the second package 300 is bonded to the first package 200 by a reflow process. During this reflow process, the conductive connectors 314 are in contact with the bond pads 304 and the metallization patterns 106 to physically and electrically couple the second package 300 to the first package 200. After the bonding process, an IMC (not shown) may form at the interface of the metallization patterns 106 and the conductive connectors 314 and also at the interface between the conductive connectors 314 and the bond pads 304 (not shown).

The semiconductor package 500 includes the packages 200 and 300 being mounted to a substrate 400. The substrate 400 may be referred to a package substrate 400. The package 200 is mounted to the package substrate 400 using the conductive connectors 166.

The package substrate 400 may be made of a semiconductor material such as silicon, germanium, diamond, or the like. Alternatively, compound materials such as silicon germanium, silicon carbide, gallium arsenic, indium arsenide, indium phosphide, silicon germanium carbide, gallium arsenic phosphide, gallium indium phosphide, combinations of these, and the like, may also be used. Additionally, the package substrate 400 may be a SOI substrate. Generally, an SOI substrate includes a layer of a semiconductor material such as epitaxial silicon, germanium, silicon germanium, SOI, SGOI, or combinations thereof. The package substrate 400 is, in one alternative embodiment, based on an insulating core such as a fiberglass reinforced resin core. One example core material is fiberglass resin such as FR4. Alternatives for the core material include bismaleimide-triazine BT resin, or alternatively, other PCB materials or films. Build up films such as ABF or other laminates may be used for package substrate 400.

The package substrate 400 may include active and passive devices (not shown in FIG. 28). As one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, a wide variety of devices such as transistors, capacitors, resistors, combinations of these, and the like may be used to generate the structural and functional requirements of the design for the semiconductor package 500. The devices may be formed using any suitable methods.

The package substrate 400 may also include metallization layers and vias (not shown) and bond pads 402 over the metallization layers and vias. The metallization layers may be formed over the active and passive devices and are designed to connect the various devices to form functional circuitry. The metallization layers may be formed of alternating layers of dielectric (e.g., low-k dielectric material) and conductive material (e.g., copper) with vias interconnecting the layers of conductive material and may be formed through any suitable process (such as deposition, damascene, dual damascene, or the like). In some embodiments, the package substrate 400 is substantially free of active and passive devices.

In some embodiments, the conductive connectors 166 can be reflowed to attach the package 200 to the bond pads 402. The conductive connectors 166 electrically and/or physically couple the substrate 400, including metallization layers in the substrate 400, to the first package 200.

The conductive connectors 166 may have an epoxy flux (not shown) formed thereon before they are reflowed with at least some of the epoxy portion of the epoxy flux remaining after the package 200 is attached to the substrate 400. This remaining epoxy portion may act as an underfill to reduce stress and protect the joints resulting from the reflowing the conductive connectors 166. In some embodiments, an underfill (not shown) may be formed between the first package 200 and the substrate 400 and surrounding the conductive connectors 166. The underfill may be formed by a capillary flow process after the package 200 is attached or may be formed by a suitable deposition method before the package 200 is attached.

Embodiments of the device and methods in the current disclosure have many advantages. In particular, a redistribution layer (RDL) routing design that enables more reliability robustness at a semiconductor-encapsulant boundary (e.g. a silicon/molding compound (Si/MC) boundary). For example, heating a package up in wafer form from room temperature to 220° C. results in high bending stresses on the RDL at the semiconductor-encapsulant boundary due to the curvature changing drastically because of CTE mismatch. The stress of transferring from fan-in to fan-out area can cause the RDL cracking, at the die corner and die sides. Hence, in some embodiments, the RDL routing design can be used for reliability robustness within a pre-defined area at the die-encapsulant boundary. The pre-defined area (sometimes referred to as a keep-out-zone (KOZ)) is the area where the RDL routing should not be routed in the same direction as the tensile forces as that causes the RDL pattern to suffer highest risk of cracking (see FIG. 16).

An embodiment is a structure including a first die having an active surface with a first center point, a molding compound at least laterally encapsulating the first die, and a first redistribution layer (RDL) including metallization patterns extending over the first die and the molding compound. A first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL extending over a first portion of a boundary of the first die to the molding compound, the first portion of the metallization patterns not extending parallel to a first line, the first line extending from the first center point of the first die to the first portion of the boundary of the first die.

Another embodiment is a method including forming a first through via adjacent a first die, two sidewalls of the first die meeting in a first corner region, at least laterally encapsulating the first die and the first through via in a molding compound, forming a first redistribution structure over and electrically coupled to the first die and the first through via, the first redistribution structure including a first metallization pattern, the first metallization pattern overlying the first corner region extending in directions that have a first angle relative to one of the sidewalls of the first die, the first angle being in a range from 75 degrees to 105 degrees, and forming a first set of conductive connectors on the first redistribution structure.

A further embodiment is a method including forming a first package. The forming the first package including forming an electrical connector over a carrier substrate, attaching a first die to the carrier substrate, the electrical connector extending from a second side of the first die to a first side of the first die, the second side being opposite the first side, the electrical connector being adjacent the first die, the first side of the first die having a first center point, encapsulating the first die and the electrical connector with a molding compound, and forming a redistribution structure overlying the first side of the first die and the molding compound, the redistribution structure including a first portion of metallization patterns extending over a first portion of a boundary of the first die to the molding compound, the first portion of the metallization patterns not extending parallel to a first line, the first line extending from the first center point of the first die to the first portion of the boundary of the first die.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A structure comprising: a first die having an active surface with a first center point; a molding compound at least laterally encapsulating the first die; and a first redistribution layer (RDL) comprising metallization patterns extending over the first die and the molding compound, a first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL extending over a first portion of a boundary of the first die to the molding compound, the first portion of the metallization patterns not extending parallel to a first line, the first line extending from the first center point of the first die to the first portion of the boundary of the first die.
 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first RDL is electrically coupled to the first die.
 3. The structure of claim 1 further comprising: a first electrical connector in the molding compound and adjacent the first die, the first electrical connector extending through the molding compound.
 4. The structure of claim 3, wherein the first electrical connector is electrically coupled to the first RDL.
 5. The structure of claim 3, wherein the first electrical connector has a first surface level with the active surface of the first die.
 6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL are in a first corner region of the first die, two sidewalls of the first die meeting at the first corner region, the first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL having a first angle relative to one of the two sidewalls of the first die, the first angle being in a range from 75 degrees to 105 degrees.
 7. The structure of claim 6, wherein the first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL in the first corner region extend straight through the first corner region or have bends of about 90 degrees.
 8. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL are in a first side region of the first die, the first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL having a second angle relative to the nearest sidewall of the first die, the first side region being between two corner regions of the first die, the second angle being in a range from 30 degrees to 60 degrees.
 9. The structure of claim 8, wherein the first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL in the first side region extend straight through the first side region or have bends of about 90 degrees.
 10. A structure comprising: a first die, two sidewalls of the first die meeting in a first corner region; a first electrical connector adjacent the first die; a molding compound laterally encapsulating the first die and the first electrical connector; a first redistribution structure over and electrically coupled to the first die and the first electrical connector, the first redistribution structure comprising a first metallization pattern, the first metallization pattern overlying the first corner region extending in directions that have a first angle relative to one of the sidewalls of the first die, the first angle being in a range from 75 degrees to 105 degrees; and a first set of conductive connectors over and electrically coupled to the first redistribution structure.
 11. The structure of claim 10, wherein the first metallization pattern overlying a first side region of the first die extends in directions that have a second angle relative to nearest sidewall of the first die, the second angle being in a range from 30 degrees to 60 degrees, the first side region being adjacent the first corner region and interposed between the first corner region and another corner region of the first die.
 12. The structure of claim 11, wherein the first side region extends at least 200 μm within the first die from the corresponding sidewall of the first die and at least 300 μm into the molding compound from the corresponding sidewall of the first die.
 13. The structure of claim 11, wherein the first metallization pattern overlying a first side region extends straight through the first side region or has bends of about 90 degrees.
 14. The structure of claim 10, wherein the first corner region extends at least 200 μm within the first die from the corresponding sidewall of the first die and at least 300 μm into the molding compound from the corresponding sidewall of the first die.
 15. The structure of claim 10, wherein the first electrical connector has a first surface level with an active surface of the first die.
 16. The structure of claim 10, wherein the first metallization pattern overlying the first corner region extends straight through the first corner region or has bends of about 90 degrees.
 17. A structure comprising: a first electrical connector; a first die adjacent to the first electrical connector, the first die having an active side with a first center point, the first electrical connector extending from a back side of the first die to the active side of the first die; a molding compound surrounding the first die and the first electrical connector; and a first redistribution structure over the molding compound and over and electrically coupled to the active side of the first die and to the first electrical connector, the first redistribution structure comprising a first redistribution layer (RDL) comprising metallization patterns extending over the first die and the molding compound, a first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL extending over a first portion of a boundary of the first die to the molding compound, the first portion of the boundary of the first die being less than a side of the first die, the first portion of the metallization patterns not extending parallel to a first line, the first line extending from the first center point of the first die to the first portion of the boundary of the first die.
 18. The structure of claim 17, wherein the first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL are in a first corner region of the first die, two sidewalls of the first die meeting at the first corner region, the first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL having a first angle relative to one of the two sidewalls of the first die, the first angle being in a range from 75 degrees to 105 degrees.
 19. The structure of claim 18, wherein the first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL in the first corner region extend straight through the first corner region or have bends of about 90 degrees.
 20. The structure of claim 17, wherein the first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL are in a first side region of the first die, the first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL having a second angle relative to the nearest sidewall of the first die, the first side region being between two corner regions of the first die, the second angle being in a range from 30 degrees to 60 degrees. 